SERB ORTHODOX BISHOP VISIST CATHOLIC BISHOP IN BANJA LUKA

BANJA LUKA, May 25 (Hina) - The Serb Orthodox Bishop of Herzegovina, Atanasije, today visited Roman Catholic Bishop Franjo Komarica in his Banja Luka home, Komarica's office said in a statement. Bishop Atanasije is an envoy of the Patriarch of the Orthodx Church of Serbia, Pavle, and the Holy Synod. Atanasije conveyed to Komarica a written statement of the Holy Synod, dated May 18, and expressed regret over the tragic events that had affected the Catholic Church in the Banja Luka diocese in the last three weeks. Atanasije said that, on behalf of the Holy Synod, he had called on Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic to at least ensure the protection of the remaining Catholic community in the Banja Luka area. Komarica thanked him for his noble mission and informed him of the dramatic situation in his diocese. The statement said it was the first official contact between Serbian Orthodox and Catholic officials in the last month and a half. (hina) jn vm 251709 MET may 95